7 Powerful Natural Antibiotics and Anti-virals

Now that we are into the winter season when colds, coughs, viruses and the like are more prevalent I thought it would be worth reminding you about the various natural antibiotics and anti-virals that you can use.

Natural compounds with antimicrobial activity such as garlic, oregano oil, coconut oil, colloidal silver, manuka honey, apple cider vinegar and grapefruit seed extract are all excellent options to try before resorting to drugs. Best of all, research has shown that bacteria do not tend to develop resistance to these types of treatments.

GARLIC has been used for thousands of years to treat all manner of illnesses and can be used both internally and externally.

Raw garlic when crushed or chewed contains a compound called allicin – which has similar properties to penicillin and helps to kill and ward off harmful bacteria.

This superfood member of the onion family is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal. It is also a powerful antioxidant, i.e. it can destroy free radicals, thereby promoting a strong immune system.

Garlic can help to sort out everything from inflammation to colds to serious infections. And for those of you who don’t enjoy the taste, there are supplements available instead.

COCONUT OIL is a useful ally in the quest for bacterial balance throughout the digestive tract, and in fact in all the mucous membranes of the body where bacteria thrive, such as the ears, sinuses, airways, genital area and urethra.

Colloidal silver can be taken by mouth by either placing droplets under your tongue for quick absorption or put into water and drink. Alternatively you can apply the colloidal silver directly onto cuts, burns, skin infections or acne. I find it particularly useful to spray it into your mouth if you have a sore throat or tooth/ gum infection.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT is a liquid substance extracted from the fruit and seeds of grapefruit. Many traditional societies, from South America to Europe, to Asia have used the extract to clean the skin, hair, and home surfaces. These societies also valued the extract as a powerful anti-viral and bacterial.

A recent study from The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grapefruit-seed extract was effective in killing over “800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, and a large number of single and multi-celled parasites.

Use diluted to gargle or consume a few drops in water or juice. Also use as a mouthwash, skin rinse and household cleanser. It has a strong bitter taste and if you find it difficult to swallow then it can be found in tablet form.

Grapefruit seed extract is really useful when travelling into foreign countries; GSE acts as a natural germ-killer and an effective preventative mechanism for food borne illnesses that cause diarrhoea and dysentery.

MANUKA HONEY

Honey has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidants activities. Honey was a conventional therapy in fighting infection up until the early 20th century, at which time its use slowly vanished with the advent of penicillin.

Manuka honey is made with pollen gathered from the flowers of the Manuka bush (a medicinal plant), and clinical trials have found this type of honey can effectively eradicate more than 250 clinical strains of bacteria, including resistant varieties such as MRSA

Compared to other types of honey, Manuka has an extra ingredient with antimicrobial qualities, called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Honey releases hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process, which explains its general antiseptic qualities, but active Manuka honey contains “something else” that makes it far superior to other types of honey when it comes to killing off bacteria.

Active manuka honey can be used to treat MRSA, bed sores and other external ulcerative conditions. It is also effective for H Pylori (stomach ulcer causing bacteria), E Coli infections and Strep throats. It is very healing when applied externally for conditions such as burns, wounds, dermatitis, eczema etc. However research shows that any type of unprocessed honey helped wounds and ulcers heal.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is a foodstuff which has been around for a very long time and this simple product has some amazing benefits for your health. For hundreds years it has been used both as a food and a medicine, as an energizing tonic and a healing elixir.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made by fermenting the sugars from apples, turning them into acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar. Acetic acid is an effective anti-bacterial agent and has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative.

This natural alkalizing wonder tonic balances the pH levels in your body, helping your vital organs to work more efficiently at doing what they do best, helping you detox from the inside out. Evidence suggests ACV also cleanses the lymph nodes and breaks down mucus in the body, which alleviates sinus congestion with all its associated health consequences.

OREGANO OIL can be useful for gastro-intestinal problems due to its anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Some studies have shown that oregano oil puts up a strong fight against Candida albicans, the bacteria that causes the fungal infection candida.

It may help in the fight against antibiotic resistance: Research has shown that that oregano oil is effective against bacteria and in particular in killing staphylococcus bacteria.

Due to its effectiveness within the GI tract it a particularly useful product if you are travelling and are likely to be exposed to different foods and environments.

Neat oregano oil is particularly potent and doesn’t taste good. Therefore for safety and ease of use I suggest you use it in the form of capsules where the essential oil or oregano is blended with a carrier oil to a safe dilution.

Many people don’t know about natural antibiotics. Great to know that natural antibiotics can be very helpful to treat many different types of diseases. Some natural antibiotics can be beneficial in treating skin problems like acne, psoriasis, warts, eczema which are tough to treat, which is very helpful for people who are suffering from these kind of skin problems.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog is based on my own personal and professional opinions and experiences . It is not intended to be a substitute for taking proper medical advice and should not be used for diagnosing or treating any disease. If you have, or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult a qualified doctor or health practitioner. See Legal stuff for full disclaimer.

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